Which benefit is included in the 10 essential health benefits that must be offered by ACA-compliant plans?

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that certain essential health benefits must be included in health insurance plans that are considered ACA-compliant. Among these, prescription drugs are explicitly specified as one of the ten essential health benefits. This means that insurance plans must provide coverage for a range of medications necessary for the treatment of various health conditions.

The provision for prescription drugs ensures that individuals have access to the medications they need without facing prohibitive costs. Coverage typically includes a formulary, which is a list of covered drugs, often grouped into tiers that can affect out-of-pocket costs for enrollees.

In contrast, benefits such as cosmetic procedures, gym memberships, and alternative medicine do not fall under these essential health benefits as defined by the ACA. Cosmetic procedures are generally considered elective and not necessary for the treatment of illnesses, while gym memberships and alternative medicine are often categorized as wellness programs and not essential health needs. Therefore, they are not included in the required coverage of ACA-compliant plans.